الفصل الفصل 16 · HROTHGAR LAVISHES GIFTS UPON HIS DELIVERER.

. HROTHGAR LAVISHES GIFTS UPON HIS DELIVERER.

{Heorot is adorned with hands.}

Then straight was ordered that Heorot inside[1]

With hands be embellished: a host of them gathered,

Of men and women, who the wassailing-building

The guest-hall begeared. Gold-flashing sparkled

5 Webs on the walls then, of wonders a many

To each of the heroes that look on such objects.

{The hall is defaced, however.}

The beautiful building was broken to pieces

Which all within with irons was fastened,

Its hinges torn off: only the roof was

10 Whole and uninjured when the horrible creature

Outlawed for evil off had betaken him,

Hopeless of living. 'Tis hard to avoid it

{[A vague passage of five verses.]}

(Whoever will do it!); but he doubtless must come to[2]

The place awaiting, as Wyrd hath appointed,

15 Soul-bearers, earth-dwellers, earls under heaven,

Where bound on its bed his body shall slumber

{Hrothgar goes to the banquet.}

When feasting is finished. Full was the time then

That the son of Healfdene went to the building;

[36] The excellent atheling would eat of the banquet.

20 Ne'er heard I that people with hero-band larger

Bare them better tow'rds their bracelet-bestower.

The laden-with-glory stooped to the bench then

(Their kinsmen-companions in plenty were joyful,

Many a cupful quaffing complaisantly),

25 Doughty of spirit in the high-tow'ring palace,

{Hrothgar's nephew, Hrothulf, is present.}

Hrothgar and Hrothulf. Heorot then inside

Was filled with friendly ones; falsehood and treachery

The Folk-Scyldings now nowise did practise.

{Hrothgar lavishes gifts upon Beowulf.}

Then the offspring of Healfdene offered to Beowulf

30 A golden standard, as reward for the victory,

A banner embossed, burnie and helmet;

Many men saw then a song-famous weapon

Borne 'fore the hero. Beowulf drank of

The cup in the building; that treasure-bestowing

35 He needed not blush for in battle-men's presence.

{Four handsomer gifts were never presented.}

Ne'er heard I that many men on the ale-bench

In friendlier fashion to their fellows presented

Four bright jewels with gold-work embellished.

'Round the roof of the helmet a head-guarder outside

40 Braided with wires, with bosses was furnished,

That swords-for-the-battle fight-hardened might fail

Boldly to harm him, when the hero proceeded

{Hrothgar commands that eight finely caparisoned steeds be brought to

Beowulf.}

Forth against foemen. The defender of earls then

Commanded that eight steeds with bridles

45 Gold-plated, gleaming, be guided to hallward,

Inside the building; on one of them stood then

An art-broidered saddle embellished with jewels;

'Twas the sovereign's seat, when the son of King Healfdene

Was pleased to take part in the play of the edges;

50 The famous one's valor ne'er failed at the front when

Slain ones were bowing. And to Beowulf granted

The prince of the Ingwins, power over both,

O'er war-steeds and weapons; bade him well to enjoy them.

In so manly a manner the mighty-famed chieftain,

[37] 55 Hoard-ward of heroes, with horses and jewels

War-storms requited, that none e'er condemneth

Who willeth to tell truth with full justice.

[1] Kl. suggests 'hroden' for 'háten,' and renders: _Then quickly was

Heorot adorned within, with hands bedecked_.--B. suggests 'gefrætwon'

instead of 'gefrætwod,' and renders: _Then was it commanded to adorn

Heorot within quickly with hands_.--The former has the advantage of

affording a parallel to 'gefrætwod': both have the disadvantage of

altering the text.

[2] The passage 1005-1009 seems to be hopeless. One difficult point is

to find a subject for 'gesacan.' Some say 'he'; others supply 'each,'

_i.e., every soul-bearer ... must gain the inevitable place_. The

genitives in this case are partitive.--If 'he' be subj., the genitives

are dependent on 'gearwe' (= prepared).--The 'he' itself is disputed,

some referring it to Grendel; but B. takes it as involved in the

parenthesis.